"Let's go to the pool tomorrow!" Hearing Ikki's suggestion, everyone who was currently training looked at him with questioning gazes. Clearly, everyone was curious why Ikki suddenly suggested going to the pool.
"What? Has Ikki already been unable to resist wanting to see Shizuku's swimsuit?"
"In that case, it seems I'll need to prepare well!" Hearing Nagi Arisu's teasing, Ikki quickly retorted.
"Alice, don't mess around. Going to the pool is serious business. Besides, I don't want to see your swimsuit; my eyes would rot off."
"So you're saying you do want to see Shizuku's swimsuit, then?" Seizing the opportunity with a cunning angle, Shirou delivered a fatal blow to Ikki. Hearing Shirou's question, Ikki could no longer sound righteous. He stammered, "Not exactly, but if possible... I really would like to see it."
"You can!" Under their teasing, Shizuku, whose face was also flushed and a little shy, affirmed, "If big brother wants to see it, Shizuku is fine with anything."
"Oh, oh, oh! Here it comes, Shizuku's main heroine declaration has arrived!" Under the instigation of Shirou and Nagi Arisu, Ikki conveniently forgot his original purpose, blushing amidst their teasing. But he quickly came to his senses.
"Wait, how did it turn into me wanting to see Shizuku's swimsuit and inviting her to the pool? That's not how it happened!"
"Huh? It's not?"
"That's right, that's exactly what it was! I heard it very clearly!"
"What the hell do you mean 'heard it very clearly'?! What on earth did my words turn into in your ears?!" An enraged Ikki grabbed Shirou and Nagi Arisu by their collars, questioning them. But the two looked away, completely ignoring his interrogation. Helpless, Ikki could only release them and say calmly, "Going to the pool was just to give Ayatsuji-senpai a different way of training."
"Tch, so it's just for training."
"No fun, absolutely no fun at all." Looking at the two who were constantly making disapproving noises, Ikki calmly asked, "So, you're not going?"
"No, we're going!" Shirou and Nagi Arisu replied in unison, their faces previously filled with refusal. Of course they were going! As mischief-makers, they had to actively seek out fun!
"I knew it!" Looking at Ikki and Nagi Arisu constantly exchanging glances, Ikki sighed helplessly. With these two around, he would never have peace!
Unlike the boys' side, hearing about going to the pool, the girls' side naturally passed it with a unanimous vote. However, unlike the expectant Shizuku, Stella was currently looking at Ayase's back with great wariness. Ayase's face was slightly flushed as she looked at Shirou. Not good! Not good! Stella's romance radar was more active than ever before.
Although Shirou was very popular at Hagun Academy, he didn't seem to have any intention of dating anyone. To avoid entanglement with other girls, he even went back to run his dessert shop on Sundays. Stella knew all of this very well. So, although she harbored affection, she had been hesitant to confess. After all, she didn't know Shirou's thoughts. But she believed that once Shirou had any intention of dating, she would definitely be the successful one. As for why? Of course, because she had the advantage of being close to him!
Although Shirou was gentle and could communicate amicably with anyone, his true circle of friends was very small. It consisted only of Ikki, Shizuku, Nagi Arisu, and herself, Stella Vermillion. In this small group, Shizuku already had Ikki. As for Nagi Arisu, she believed Shirou would absolutely never fall in love with him. That left only herself with a chance.
But now, her absolute territory had been invaded by an outsider, and this outsider also harbored impure intentions towards Shirou. This put her on alert.
"What is it, Stella-san? Why are you staring at me like
that?"
"Nothing, I was just watching your movements. I was just worried that Ikki, that incompetent teacher, might teach you bad habits!"
"Is that so? Thank you for your concern, Stella-san!"
After exchanging a few words with Ayase, Stella withdrew her gaze and began to ponder. Should she make the first move? Otherwise, if Ayase overtook her on a curve, wouldn't that be incredibly humiliating?! Thinking this, Stella began to feel uneasy. She then turned her gaze to Shizuku, who was smiling and honing her magical control techniques. She knew she needed advice now. She needed guidance. At this moment, she naturally needed the successful experience of Shizuku.
"Shizuku, come here for a moment. I have something to tell you!"
"Okay!" Immediately, Stella led Shizuku towards a patch of grass on the side.
________________________________________
"Is that so, Stella? Have you finally decided to make the first move?"
"Huh?! Why aren't you surprised at all, Shizuku?"
"Because I saw it coming a mile away!" Shizuku said with a smile, looking at Stella's confused little eyes. As a princess who was pure yet held a hint of mischievousness, Stella's thoughts were simply too easy to guess. Probably everyone knew except for herself.
"Is it that obvious?" Faced with the situation of her innermost thoughts being guessed, Stella felt incredibly shy. She could guess that her roommate probably often watched her struggles with amusement. This made her teeth itch with irritation, wanting to bite someone. But now was not the time for revenge; she still needed her advice.
"So, what do you think I should do now?"
"Of course, you should make the first move!" Shizuku said decisively. She knew very well that if Stella didn't take the initiative and waited for the other person to speak first, Stella might never get a response from him in her entire life. After all, as an observer, Shizuku clearly knew that the man, Shirou, didn't seem to have any intention of falling in love. Perhaps he was aware of Stella's affection, but he had no intention of reciprocating. Facing such a man, being passive had no future.
"But what exactly should I do? I have no experience with this kind of thing!" Looking at the shy Stella, Shizuku couldn't help but feel a headache. Although she had achieved great success in this area, her situation and Stella's were not the same; in fact, they had fundamental differences. So she couldn't give her relevant experience at all.
What should she do? At a time like this, of course, they had to rely on their versatile Alice! Looking at Nagi Arisu, who was talking with Shirou and Ikki outside the grass patch, Shizuku skillfully called out, "Alice, come here for a moment!"
"Oh!" Hearing Shizuku's call, although he didn't know what it was about, Nagi Arisu quickly walked over.
After hearing Shizuku's description in the bushes, Nagi
Arisu's face immediately lit up with joy. Usually, he and Shirou would tease Ikki together, but now he finally had a chance to tease Shirou himself. Thinking this, he couldn't help but say with a smile, "I think Ikki can also be involved in this plan."
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter